'Back to work na!'
Senate President Win Gatchalian on Thursday said “Senateflix” in the upper chamber is over, urging senators to refocus on legislative duties following a special session held on June 17.
In a press conference on June 18, Gatchalian said the chamber must move past recent political tensions and resume its core functions.
“Tapos na ang Senateflix. Back to work na tayo,” Gatchalian said.
He said the Senate is now preparing to lay down priority measures in the coming weeks, including the list of Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) bills that need to be prioritized and completed.
Gatchalian also confirmed that preparations are underway for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026.
“In the next few weeks, ilalatag na namin ‘yung mga LEDAC bills na dapat matapos at ilalatag na rin namin ‘yung mga preparations natin for the impeachment on July 6, 2026,” he added.
He said coordination efforts are ongoing with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure security and logistical readiness.
According to the Senate leader, the chamber has already begun coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Pasay local government, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and other enforcement units in preparation for the proceedings.
He also said senators will be encouraged to start committee hearings early to avoid delays once plenary sessions fully resume.
“So, in the next few weeks, we will focus also on the bills. We will request the senators to already proceed with their hearings… Na elect na rin yung mga chairman at vice chairman ng committees. So, they can already proceed with conducting a hearing,” Gatchalian said.
He added that committees have already been organized, with chairpersons and vice chairpersons in place, allowing legislative work to move forward immediately.
“Pagpasok natin, tuloy-tuloy na yung mga discussions ng LEDAC bills and also other bills na priority measures ng ating mga senators,” he said.
Gatchalian’s remarks come after weeks of political turbulence inside the chamber, which began with the unexpected plenary attendance of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on May 11, that help his allies to install Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, replacing Vicente Sotto III.
Tensions in the chamber further escalated following a Senate shooting incident on May 13.
